7/9/99 @ Merriweather Post Pavilion w/Thom Epps

Attendance Bias

There is something about Phish's summer 1999 tour that deeply resonates with fans. On one hand, lots of fans see it an an underrated and underrepresented tour. On the other hand, everybody loves to talk about it! That's certainly the case with today's guest, Thom Epps of San Diego, CA.
Thom threw me for a loop when he suggested this show, because he wasn't there! He calls it "What should have been" his first show. Non-attendance bias? Nevertheless, we go over it with a fine-tooth comb and marvel over how the band eases into their new material ("Farmhouse" and "Back on the Train"), the band's masterful control of dynamics, and a time in our lives when our parents not letting us use the car was the biggest problem in getting to a show.
NOTE: In this episode, We talk a bit about how this show, MPP 1999, was Phish's first show headlining MPP. I'M AN IDIOT and they very obviously and famously KILLED Merriweather for one night in 1998. My mistake!

Phish.in provides a very good AUD recording of this show, and I highly recommend listening to it if you want to hear the speedjams and impeccable playing that led to the legendary Oswego festival, just a week ahead.
Audio used for this episode: 7/9/99 at Merriweather Post Pavilion